A Luna for the Lycan King novel Chapter 79

“It’s

my father. He’s depressed, and I don’t know what to do. He isn’t eating. Issy. He is taking this thing with mom so hard. I’ve never seen him like this.” I could see the pain in Lyle’s eyes. He also looked tired. I was sure it had been a heavy burden on him, running the kingdom in a time of war.

“I’m here to help. I’m not going anywhere. As you can see, the little pup is growing quickly. I think I’m a bit farther along. This happened before I went into heat, even though Darren used precaution. Unless, because we are both powerful lycans, things have sped up?”

“All lycan pregnancies are different, but royal pregnancies have always been unpredictable. And you are the true royal … I’m guessing that has a lot to do with this.” I listened as he sighed. “How is Darren?”

“Getting ready to head into Catata as we speak.” I pursed my lips together. “I want to be by his side.”

“I do, too,” Lyle admitted. “I’m glad you’re here. I can use your help. There is also one more thing … and I hate this, but this is war, and it can’t be helped.”

“What is it?”

“Tomorrow night, the full moon will touch the altar. It’s the night we’ve been waiting for. We predicted it wouldn’t be until

next week, but we were wrong. We need to crown you as the

queen even without Darren here.”

…

“But without Darren-”

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“His heir is growing inside of you. And if anything—” He stopped abruptly and I knew what he was going to say. I growled and narrowed my eyes at him.

“Don’t you dare utter those words. Listen, I’m Darren’s queen. I will go through the ceremony even if he isn’t here. But he is coming back! Any other talk is not welcome in my presence.” I watched as a big smile spread across his lips.

“This is why you’re perfect, Issy.” He patted my shoulder. “How was it out there? I’ve been getting reports, but the communication stopped right after Darren informed me you would be coming back. He said that messages wouldn’t be going out as often. Do they think there is a spy?”

“I think they are erring on the side of caution. But in the last battle, we suffered a lot of casualties. I didn’t fight in that one. Darren didn’t wake me. It happened so fast, and he made a hasty decision.” I looked at my feet. “I was told that I was blessed, but where is this blessing? I thought maybe I would have some amazing power that would come out in battle. Something devastating.”

“Super soul–reaper powers.” Lyle laughed and I looked at him blankly. I didn’t understand the reference.

“It’s an anime I watched.” He cleared his throat, a bit

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embarrassed. “Anyway, the hero would go into god mode and win the battle.”

“Yeah, like that I guess.” I laughed, looking out toward the distance. A blessing like that was exactly what I wanted. The strength to protect the ones I loved. Darren was doing his best, and I was going to do mine. I got lost in the fantasy for a bit. Wrapped in his cocoon of love, it was like the world didn’t exist.

“Are you hungry? You want to rest? What do you need?”

I looked away from the sky and back to Lyle. “Let’s go see Milo.”

“He’s still with my mother.”

“Then we will see them both.”

“Darren wouldn’t-”

“Darren isn’t here, Lyle. I am. And Darren is overprotective.”

“Rightfully so. She admitted she would kill you.” Lyle let out an airy laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“She did.”

He lowered his voice. “I’ve noticed something … off about the Waiting Ladies and Men. It’s like they’re …”

“Brainwashed.” I watched as he nodded his head slowly.

“Everything for the kingdom. I think we should speak with some

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of them. I’ve been wondering the same thing, and maybe they’ve all been brainwashed to a certain degree. If so, they all need help.”

“Do you think their families are to blame?”

“That is the right question. But which one? Who is the one behind the Waiting? Someone organized and pitched this idea a long time ago. The nobles were behind it, right? I think the answer lies with them.” Lyle looked alarmed hearing this.

“Are you saying they have become their own power? One higher than the royals?”

“I don’t know, but—”

“It makes sense. We have to figure out if it’s actual brainwashing or just drilling them with a sense of duty.”

“I don’t know. We could be wrong, but it’s just… your mother was extreme. If it is brainwashing, we’ll need help from the sorcerers to fix them.”

“Would they help us because of the alliance?”

I grinned at him. “I am friends with their princess.”

“Atta girl, Issy! I’ll gather the most loyal we have here and put them on the case. We have excellent spies that we can trust. No matter what, this is a threat against our power structure. If there is someone pulling strings—”

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